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Soldier laid to rest
The News-Enterprise ^ | September 22, 2007 | KELLY RICHARDSON

Posted on 09/23/2007 3:28:14 AM PDT by SLB

RADCLIFF — It wasn’t only family and friends who arrived at Stithton Baptist Church in Radcliff on Saturday to honor the memory of Pfc. Sammie Phillips. Some 200 or more Patriot Guard Riders and community members stood outside the church and lined the drive with American flags.

Phillips’ funeral began at 2 p.m., and he was buried at North Hardin Memorial Gardens following the service. The riders and others attended the burial as well, again lining the drive into the cemetery and the path to the graveside.

Phillips, 19, was in the Kentucky Army National Guard. He was killed Sept. 10 in Rustamiyah, Iraq, when his vehicle overturned while conducting a traffic control mission.

Chaplain Jay Padgett told the 1,000 or so in attendance including Gov. Ernie Fletcher, his wife, Glenna, and U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis, R-Cecilia, that they should focus on hope.

“Sometimes we get so caught up in loss that we forget to celebrate life,” he said.

And that was what those in attendance did. Friends including a former babysitter spoke of their favorite memories of Phillips, eliciting tears and laughter from the congregation. Letters from Phillips’ mother, Rachel Crutcher, and his wife, Ashley, were read.

Crutcher’s letter began with her memories of Phillips’ birth.

“He was someone special, and I knew right then that he’d be an inspiration to everyone he came in contact with,” she wrote.

Many laughed when Crutcher’s letter spoke of Phillips getting into trouble as a child, but it said she knew he would grow to be a good man.

Crutcher wrote that she was trying not to be selfish for her loss, but proud that God picked her son to be with him.

“I know you’re in heaven saying, ‘Momma, don’t cry. I got this,’” the letter read.

Ashley Phillips’ letter also spoke of her grief, but said how happy she was to have had three years with him.

“You went from my high school sweetheart to my husband,” she wrote.

A slideshow put together by Ashley Phillips’ sister depicting Phillips throughout his life was played.

Padgett ended the service by telling those gathered that it was OK to cry and grieve. He said as a chaplain, he often asks soldiers with all they do to prepare for combat, if they are prepared spiritually as well.

Padgett said Phillips would have said yes.

A few members of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., who protest soldiers’ funerals and were expected to attend, were across the street from the church, but hardly could be seen or heard because of the large crowd. The protesters left before the funeral ended.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; US: Kentucky; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: anamericansoldier; fallen; nationalguard; soldier
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FReeper Stonewall Jackson and I were there. I would estimate the crowd at the cemetery at around 500 - 750 including over 200 Patriot Rider Guard members. Since Radcliff is next to Ft Knox there were many attending who were in uniform, either active duty or retired.
1 posted on 09/23/2007 3:28:18 AM PDT by SLB
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To: Stonewall Jackson

Link to post with pics by FReeper Stonewall Jackson.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1900378/posts


2 posted on 09/23/2007 3:30:27 AM PDT by SLB (Wyoming's Alan Simpson on the Washington press - "all you get is controversy, crap and confusion")
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To: SLB; Stonewall Jackson

God Bless Pfc. Sammie Phillips and his family.

Thank You for being there.

[Mr] T


3 posted on 09/23/2007 3:34:04 AM PDT by trooprally (Never Give Up - Never Give In - Remember Our Troops)
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To: Squantos; Travis McGee; Jeff Head; the irate magistrate; FreedomPoster; Lion Den Dan; leadpenny

I just watched the early morning news from Louisville. They opened with a shot of the freak show from Kansas.


4 posted on 09/23/2007 3:34:47 AM PDT by SLB (Wyoming's Alan Simpson on the Washington press - "all you get is controversy, crap and confusion")
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To: SLB
P>A few members of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., who protest soldiers’ funerals and were expected to attend, were across the street from the church, but hardly could be seen or heard because of the large crowd. The protesters left before the funeral ended.

mission accomplished. The one thing the Phelpsholes fear most is a lack of attention. Blow them off -- it makes them crazy.

I have to love the PGR. The power of quiet -- or noisy - dignity is undeniable.

5 posted on 09/23/2007 3:48:22 AM PDT by ReignOfError
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To: ReignOfError

The Westboro cult did get some attention. It seems some of the local folks found their cars. Somehow the windows ended up with a really dark tint on them, in fact it was totally black.


6 posted on 09/23/2007 4:04:30 AM PDT by SLB (Wyoming's Alan Simpson on the Washington press - "all you get is controversy, crap and confusion")
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To: SLB

Good work. Wish I could have been there.


7 posted on 09/23/2007 5:32:28 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (Guns themselves are fairly robust; their chief enemies are rust and politicians) (NRA)
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To: SoldierMedic; Old Sarge; colorado tanker

BTTT


8 posted on 09/23/2007 5:46:17 AM PDT by SLB (Wyoming's Alan Simpson on the Washington press - "all you get is controversy, crap and confusion")
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To: SLB
God Bless him, and see him into eternal safety, O Lord...
9 posted on 09/23/2007 5:49:13 AM PDT by Rush4U
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To: SLB; Dr. Ed Bravo; OSTATE; MS.BEHAVIN; TherealMr.B; KSParalegal; BraveMan; pandoraou812; ...

 

To be on or off my PGR list, please FReepmail me!

10 posted on 09/23/2007 6:10:25 AM PDT by StarCMC (http://cannoneerno4.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/school-of-the-counterpropagandist/)
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To: SLB

As black as their hearts.


11 posted on 09/23/2007 6:12:22 AM PDT by StarCMC (http://cannoneerno4.wordpress.com/2007/08/11/school-of-the-counterpropagandist/)
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To: SLB; Stonewall Jackson

MSM sucks..........they put evil in the light and keep good in the dark. There should have been nothing but the story of the soldiers ultimate sacrifice for his family, friends and country and those that turned out to celebrate his life and pay respect to his family and friends for their and our nations loss.........

Again , thanks to you and Stonewall Jackson for being there for us........Stay safe ~


12 posted on 09/23/2007 6:28:32 AM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
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To: SLB
The Westboro cult did get some attention. It seems some of the local folks found their cars. Somehow the windows ended up with a really dark tint on them, in fact it was totally black.

No the brightest move, because the Pelpsholes live to provoke an angry response and then sue for it. That's how they fund their operations. But if someone blacked out their windows and got away, that's a damn dirty shame. Tee hee hee.

13 posted on 09/23/2007 6:33:39 AM PDT by ReignOfError
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To: StarCMC
"think not only of their passing,remember the glory of their spirit"

Thanks Star, knew the PGR would "take care" of things

14 posted on 09/23/2007 7:04:00 AM PDT by Doogle (USAF.68-73..8th TFW Ubon Thailand..never store a threat you should have eliminated)
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To: SLB

Thanks!


15 posted on 09/23/2007 7:38:28 AM PDT by Travis McGee (--www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com--)
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To: ReignOfError
I was talking to some of the Patriot Guard Riders yesterday and several of them had a unique combat patch. It appears that about a year and a half ago, some of the Westboro wackos got a little too close to the funeral (this was before Kentucky passed the 300 foot rule) and they ended up taking a "tumble" on the ice.

There were about twenty-five police officers nearby, and not one of them saw a darned thing.

16 posted on 09/23/2007 10:22:51 AM PDT by Stonewall Jackson (The Hunt for FRed November. 11/04/08)
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To: Stonewall Jackson
There were about twenty-five police officers nearby, and not one of them saw a darned thing.

Funny how sometimes the cops all happen to be looking the wrong way at the same time. Kind of like pro wrestling referees.

17 posted on 09/23/2007 10:43:40 AM PDT by ReignOfError
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To: ReignOfError

"I see nothing!"

18 posted on 09/23/2007 10:53:01 AM PDT by Stonewall Jackson (The Hunt for FRed November. 11/04/08)
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To: StarCMC

BTTT


19 posted on 09/23/2007 11:41:36 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker ( Hunter/Thompson/Thompson/Hunter in 08! "Read my lips....No new RINO's" !!)
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To: Stonewall Jackson

“There were about twenty-five police officers nearby, and not one of them saw a darned thing.”

Funny how that works.


20 posted on 09/23/2007 11:42:47 AM PDT by stephenjohnbanker ( Hunter/Thompson/Thompson/Hunter in 08! "Read my lips....No new RINO's" !!)
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